PRESEASON TRAINING: Monday 12th February 2024

[Lord Travis 10,763]

Clarry fully integrated back with the main group for match sims

[Gawndy the Great 9,011]

2 hours ago, FriendlyFellow said:

Disclaimer: Saw on the socials they were down at Gosch’s Paddock so headed down for a quick look. Little to no presence of other track watchers and no current live thread, so as a first time contributor, giving what the people need! It won’t be as expansive and comprehensive as what we’re used to… but it’s something.

Conditions: Hot and windy (no explanation needed).

Training Format: Tailored match sim; line grouping skills; running.. and lots of it.

Observations:

Tailored Match Sim:

Offense orientated simulation. Focus on transitioning the from defensive wing to forward 50. A team forwards appeared to play on the A backs, with Midfielders having cross representation of personnel.

General observations – We still bias to target kicking into the pockets. Attempted to lower the eyes on several occasions to get into the corridor, but the defensive group were strong at intercepting and pushing the rebound. Goal kicking was accurate in windy conditions.

Oliver – completed his 2km Time Trial pre-session and was fully integrated with the main group for match-sims (so yes, first session back with the group). Was on a modified running session program separate to the others. Had plenty of the ball in match sims. Was great to see close to the start of the season.

Schache - appeared to be the A forwards, along with Fritsch and Van Rooyen. Assume he’s in the starting line up whilst Petty is out. Was a key target on the long kicks into the F50.

Pickett – so active and such a livewire in the FWD line. Was the most dominant and damaging player.

Billings – genuinely looks to add class synergy in D50 and F50 connection.

VanRooyen – not quite as big as May (direct opponent), but is the closest thing we have to a big bustling forward. His development this year will be so important.

Tomlinson – looked very settled in the A defense team. Played a lock down defensive role on Schache.

Viney and Trac looked very silky in the midfield, as did Sparrow. Other observations on the mids were challenging… I’m bamboozled by the detail you guys can provide on the mids at training. They all look the same to the untrained eye.

Line grouping skills:

Only observation was that Windsor and Langdon were with the defenders. Perhaps Windsor is the emerging winger for Prac Games if Hunter remains out?

Running:

Various running drills, split into running groups that have been well documented on previous threads. To my surprise, Kolt was in the second group, albeit on a modified program - clearly has some speed and tank to build on in coming pre-seasons. Started to feel nauseated watching the efforts in the conditions so decided to call it a day there.  

Anticipated and frequently asked questions:

Petty was not partaking in training – stuck to the side with a ball in hand.

Salem was on the track and fully training in at least the match sims and line grouping skills.

Hunter & Fullarton were on a modified running programs sticking to the boundary line. Fullarton was doing some larger kms so looks to be recovering well. 

Don’t have a comprehensive list of non-trainers, so would only be guessing - which I want to avoid!

That is all I have. Enjoy!

That's a pretty solid report mate. Appreciate you taking advantage of the circumstances for the mutual benefit of DL.

Ive noted a lot of run and carry off half back. Was this noticeable in any of your drill and the match sim. What was your impression on the overall speed of transition?

 

[Gawndy the Great 9,011]

23 minutes ago, FriendlyFellow said:

Didn't spot him, but that doesn't mean he wasn't out there! 

WOrd is he is still searching for the training ground......in Seymour. 

[FriendlyFellow 132]

14 minutes ago, Gawndy the Great said:

That's a pretty solid report mate. Appreciate you taking advantage of the circumstances for the mutual benefit of DL.

Ive noted a lot of run and carry off half back. Was this noticeable in any of your drill and the match sim. What was your impression on the overall speed of transition?

 

Yes, that would resonate based on what I saw. Free flowing and quick movement between the arcs with short kicks, overlapping handballs and quick decision making to move Fwd. 

[WERRIDEE 5,504]

Salem and Oliver full training does that mean that I should have them in the senior squad next week?

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,510]

Being in full training 3.5 weeks out from our first match surely puts Oliver in the mix for Sydney…

 

[Tough Kent 2,137]

McAdam in a photo on the club website from training today. I might be clutching at straws, but he's in his footy boots as opposed to his runners. This indicates that he must have been doing some lateral movement/football type training as opposed to just interval running. I'm not sure he would be doing this if he had a pretty serious groin issue??

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,939]

29 minutes ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

Being in full training 3.5 weeks out from our first match surely puts Oliver in the mix for Sydney…

 

I think they'll be conservative with Oliver and not rush him.

I can see him returning in the seniors from round 2 (Hawks game) to round 4 if all goes well.

However if they were to rush him back for Sydney, it would allow Trac to spend more time up forward and we need all we can get down there with Kozzie and co missing. I'd also want to see Sparrow increase his 'time on ground' from 65% - 75% to 80-90% to supplement Clarry's lower minutes in the initial few games. (I'm expecting a big year from Sparrow as he enters his 6th season) 

[BangBnagBang 703]

1 hour ago, FriendlyFellow said:

Re. Oliver, I'd hope they make him earn an Opening Round spot rather than being a walk-up, but in terms of match-fitness I'm sure players have taken the field in worse conditions throughout the year so I'm sure he'll be ready with 4 weeks to go. 

If anyone has earned a walk up start its Clarry.

[Clintosaurus 7,861]

From the video footage I have seen, forward handballs seem to be a big part of our game for this year?

[BC_1718_DC 1,367]

19 minutes ago, Clintosaurus said:

From the video footage I have seen, forward handballs seem to be a big part of our game for this year?

Andrew McQualter has bought some Richmond tricks over👀

[DistrACTION Jackson 9,227]

Just now, 12345_54321 said:

Andrew McQualter has bought some Richmond tricks over👀

Sparrow did mention he's brought some offensive changes from the Tigers over. 

Would love if we could pressure like they did. It was elite for 4 years

[whatwhat say what 22,942]

2 minutes ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Sparrow did mention he's brought some offensive changes from the Tigers over. 

Would love if we could pressure like they did. It was elite for 4 years

our pressure game is elite

our disposal once forcing turnover is atrocious

[Queanbeyan Demon 6,865]

1 hour ago, Gawndy the Great said:

WOrd is he is still searching for the training ground......in Seymour. 

Like Sidey, he missed the bus.

[DistrACTION Jackson 9,227]

6 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

our pressure game is elite

our disposal once forcing turnover is atrocious

They weren't an overly skilled team, Dusty, Short and Houli probably their best.

They just always seemed to be in the right spots.

[YesitwasaWin4theAges 6,708]

28 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

I think they'll be conservative with Oliver and not rush him.

I can see him returning in the seniors from round 2 (Hawks game) to round 4 if all goes well.

However if they were to rush him back for Sydney, it would allow Trac to spend more time up forward and we need all we can get down there with Kozzie and co missing. I'd also want to see Sparrow increase his 'time on ground' from 65% - 75% to 80-90% to supplement Clarry's lower minutes in the initial few games. (I'm expecting a big year from Sparrow as he enters his 6th season) 

If Clarry has clocked up the required amount of kms during his time off pre season and is ticked off by the coaching and medical staff and is ready to go.

I see no valid reason as to why they would hold him back.

 

 

 

[Demonland 73,140]

MFC TRAINING PHOTO GALLERY

[Demonland 73,140]

Good to see Fullarton in footy boots chasing a footy.

[forever demons 2,224]

4 hours ago, DeeZone said:

That’s correct the AFL website is showing Melbourne at Seymour and surrounding’s Feb 12th & 13th. Maybe they are heading off after training.!!

Thanks WCW I just saw your post something must have come up to make such a late change.😳

The heat

[Demonland 73,140]

Oliver takes big step – but Dees have other problems

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Oliver, who had largely kept to the Demons rehab group since his return to training on February 1, took his work up a level amid hot conditions, joining in match simulation in the back half of the session.

He played in the midfield through match sim, starting in a bib on the ‘B’ team but swapped to the ‘A’ side halfway through.

The Demons haven’t ruled Oliver out of playing in the club’s season opener on March 7 in Sydney, but there were expectations he could take some time to be passed fully fit to play in a match.

His chances of playing in opening round could be swayed by how much time he spends on the field on Sunday, when Melbourne hosts Richmond for seven periods of match simulation at Casey Fields.

Defender Christian Salem starred in match simulation, finding the ball at will off half-back and hitting up teammates, after he was recently on limited training due to a hamstring tweak.

Lachie Hunter (calf) puffed through a running session in long sleeves as the mercury slid past 30 degrees, while Tom McDonald (calf) was also running solo.

Forward Ben Brown (knee) took in some light jumping and kicking as Shane McAdam left the track early.

Recruit McAdam has been eased through pre-season and often pulled out of match play.

Harry Petty watched training and didn’t partake in any running while on the track amid his slow build from a foot complaint.

ATTACKING WOES

Melbourne started match play with a centre-bounce drill, working on how it would deliver the ball and set up in the forward-50 after bounces.

After coming unstuck in the finals series through fruitless long bombs into attack, the Dees set up with three deep forwards and attempted to find some space in a crowded 50, with only young forward Matthew Jefferson taking a mark.

How Melbourne find a way to kick more easy goals has been one of the biggest questions this AFL pre-season.

During three-quarter ground match sim, the ‘A’ team started with a forward line of Bayley Fritsch, Jacob van Rooyen and Christian Petracca deep, with Kysaiah Pickett, draftee Koltyn Tholstrup and Kade Chandler playing high.

Again, there was little connection with the deep forwards and despite a standout display from Pickett, Melbourne looked scrappy trying to find its way forward.

Petracca in particular struggled with his kicking, before a hospital handball stopped a certain goal.

Tholstrup was one who managed to find teammates well, standing up strong in a tackle to hand off one goal to Pickett, as he continues to put his name in the mix for an opening round debut.

Fellow top draftee Caleb Windsor started on the wing for the ‘A’ side, with Melbourne delighted by his start at the club.

Forward Bailey Laurie also had plenty of midfield minutes with the ‘A’ team.

Adam Tomlinson played in the ‘A’ defence when they fielded a full six backmen, while Josh Schache chipped in as a tall forward option.

[binman 43,762]

5 hours ago, FriendlyFellow said:

Disclaimer: Saw on the socials they were down at Gosch’s Paddock so headed down for a quick look. Little to no presence of other track watchers and no current live thread, so as a first time contributor, giving what the people need! It won’t be as expansive and comprehensive as what we’re used to… but it’s something.

Conditions: Hot and windy (no explanation needed).

Training Format: Tailored match sim; line grouping skills; running.. and lots of it.

Observations:

Tailored Match Sim:

Offense orientated simulation. Focus on transitioning the from defensive wing to forward 50. A team forwards appeared to play on the A backs, with Midfielders having cross representation of personnel.

General observations – We still bias to target kicking into the pockets. Attempted to lower the eyes on several occasions to get into the corridor, but the defensive group were strong at intercepting and pushing the rebound. Goal kicking was accurate in windy conditions.

Oliver – completed his 2km Time Trial pre-session and was fully integrated with the main group for match-sims (so yes, first session back with the group). Was on a modified running session program separate to the others. Had plenty of the ball in match sims. Was great to see close to the start of the season.

Schache - appeared to be the A forwards, along with Fritsch and Van Rooyen. Assume he’s in the starting line up whilst Petty is out. Was a key target on the long kicks into the F50.

Pickett – so active and such a livewire in the FWD line. Was the most dominant and damaging player.

Billings – genuinely looks to add class synergy in D50 and F50 connection.

VanRooyen – not quite as big as May (direct opponent), but is the closest thing we have to a big bustling forward. His development this year will be so important.

Tomlinson – looked very settled in the A defense team. Played a lock down defensive role on Schache.

Viney and Trac looked very silky in the midfield, as did Sparrow. Other observations on the mids were challenging… I’m bamboozled by the detail you guys can provide on the mids at training. They all look the same to the untrained eye.

Line grouping skills:

Only observation was that Windsor and Langdon were with the defenders. Perhaps Windsor is the emerging winger for Prac Games if Hunter remains out?

Running:

Various running drills, split into running groups that have been well documented on previous threads. To my surprise, Kolt was in the second group, albeit on a modified program - clearly has some speed and tank to build on in coming pre-seasons. Started to feel nauseated watching the efforts in the conditions so decided to call it a day there.  

Anticipated and frequently asked questions:

Petty was not partaking in training – stuck to the side with a ball in hand.

Salem was on the track and fully training in at least the match sims and line grouping skills.

Hunter & Fullarton were on a modified running programs sticking to the boundary line. Fullarton was doing some larger kms so looks to be recovering well. 

Don’t have a comprehensive list of non-trainers, so would only be guessing - which I want to avoid!

That is all I have. Enjoy!

Awesome first report.

With the heat and your posting name, this song popped into my head.

So here is a theme song (or avatar) for your consideration as thanks for such a top report on a hot, blustery day:

 

[FTB 278]

23 minutes ago, Demonland said:

Good to see Fullarton in footy boots chasing a footy.

Have it on good authority that Tom is tracking along really well and a chance of featuring in our practice match against Carlton on Wednesday February 28.

[Demonland 73,140]

1 hour ago, Tough Kent said:

McAdam in a photo on the club website from training today. I might be clutching at straws, but he's in his footy boots as opposed to his runners. This indicates that he must have been doing some lateral movement/football type training as opposed to just interval running. I'm not sure he would be doing this if he had a pretty serious groin issue??

[Demonland 73,140]

1 minute ago, FTB said:

Have it on good authority that Tom is tracking along really well and a chance of featuring in our practice match against Carlton on Wednesday February 28.

That's excellent because the initial reports were 6 to 8 weeks which at the time brought him to returning rounds 2 to 4 not factoring any match conditioning.

[forever demons 2,224]

3 minutes ago, binman said:

Awesome first report.

With the heat and your posting name, this song popped into my head.

So here is a theme song (or avatar) for your consideration as thanks for such a top report on a hot, blustery day:

 

Boy oh boy did you ever just give up your age